August 1st, 2023
13 Florida Tennis Athletes Win Big 2023 ATA National Championships
The 2023 American Tennis Association (ATA) National Championships took center stage at the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, creating an electrifying atmosphere filled with competitive spirit and tennis excellence. From July 24 to July 30, players from across the nation gathered at the venue to fight for the title of National Champion.
Founded in 1916, the ATA is the oldest African American Sports organization in the United States. For more than 100 years, the goal of the organization has been to drive diversity, inclusion, and equity in the game of tennis.
Zaire Clarke won the Girls’ 18s Singles Championships.
The ATA has played a massive role in the development of tennis across the world as there have been numerous players, coaches, and contributors to the game that are part of the organization. In 1917, the ATA wanted to honor its great players and coaches by hosting their own National Championships.
That first tournament saw just three events, but today, the championship now has five major events that take place over the course of the week. These include Junior L5 Singles and Doubles tournament; Junior 10U Circuit; Adult Age Group Tournament; Men’s/Women’s Open; and Adult NTRP.
The stage was set for a memorable tournament, with hundreds of players coming forms across North America and the Caribbean to compete. There was also a handful of Florida players that were in attendance, and they represented the state phenomenally over the week.
Elaine Parker had a great performance at the ATA National Championships, representing Florida well.
For Juniors, there are Boys’ and Girls’ 12s, 14s, 16s, and 18s Draws, while Adults have Men’s, Women’s, and Mixed 35 & Over Draws, going all the way up (in intervals of 5 ages) to 80 & Over. There are singles for all ages and doubles for every adult age group.
Across all those divisions, Florida tennis shined with 13 winners, consisting of seven adults, with two winning multiple titles, and six juniors. There were also 13 finalists, making up of nine adults and four junior players.
Harrell Thomas (Jacksonville) had a really great week, winning both the Men’s 65 & Over Singles and Doubles. Enrique Sanchez (Panama City) won two divisions as well, taking home Men’s 70 & Over and Mixed 65 & Over Doubles.
Below you can view all the winners and finalists from the ATA National Championships!
Adult Champions and Finalists from ATA Nationals
Men’s 50 & Over Singles Champion: Driss Ouazzani (Lake Mary)
Men’s 55 & Over Singles Champion: Antonio Giorgetti (Miami)
Men’s 65 & Over Singles Champion: Harrell Thomas (Jacksonville)
Women’s 70 & Over Singles Champion: Veralee Milton (Jacksonville)
Men’s 50 & Over Doubles Champions: Alexander Tabares (Doral)/Antonio Giorgetti (Miami)
Men’s 65 & Over Doubles Champion: Harrell Thomas (Jacksonville)
Mixed 65 & Over Doubles Champion: Enrique Sanchez (Panama City)
Men’s 70 & Over Doubles Champion: Enrique Sanchez (Panama City)
Men’s 50 & Over Singles Finalist: Darci Welter (Orlando)
Men’s 60 & Over Singles Finalist: Gregory Shepard (Miami)
Men’s 65 & Over Singles Finalist: John Albritton (Orlando)
Women’s 50 & Over Doubles Finalist: Elaine Parker (The Villages)
Men’s 55 & Over Doubles Finalist: Delvin Grant (Winter Garden)
Mixed 55 & Over Doubles Finalist: Deidre Parker (Maitland)
Men’s 65 & Over Doubles Finalist: Tony Stingley (Orlando)
Mixed 65 & Over Doubles Finalists: Ronald White (Jacksonville)/Karen White (Jacksonville)
Junior Champions and Finalists from ATA Nationals
Boys’ 12U Singles Champion: Aleksander Denisov (Sunny Isles Beach)
Girls’ 12U Singles Champion: Kristoria Haynes (Delray Beach)
Boys’ 14U Singles Champion: Diego Valpareiro (Windermere)
Boys’ 16U Singles Champion: Jackson Hinderberger (Lake Worth)
Boys’ 18U Singles Champion: Siddarth Moturi (Orlando)
Girls’ 18U Singles Champion: Zaire Clarke (Greenacres)
Boys’ 12U Singles Finalist: Gabriel Marino (Miami)
Boys’ 14U Singles Finalist Aiden Phoebus (Orlando)
Girls’ 14U Singles Finalist: Khloe Akopian (New Smyrna Beach)
Girls’ 16U Singles Finalist: Shrika Moturi (Orlando)
